Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1887-05-16
From the National Capital.

EDITOR OF THE HERALD:-To the |
amusement losing public the past week |
has been an eventful one. The spring
races of the National Jockey Club,
which were held during the week were
of more than usual interest and were
largely attended. Notwithstanding the
counter attraction afforded by the pres
ence in town of Forepaugh's circus,
and the National League base ball
games.
The social event of the week was the
appearance of Patti in the opera LA
Traviata." The fact that she had been
heard here before in this opera did not
seem to have lettering effect upon the
public, and it may be truthfully said
that rarely if ever, has so distinguished
an audience assembled within the walls
of an opera house, as that which
gathered at Albaugh's on Tuesday even
ing. The President of the United
States, his Cabinet officers, men prom
inent in political affairs. women who
are recognized as queens in the social
world, and titled representatives of
foreign countries, combined in paying
their tribute to the acknowledged queen
OF song.
Some of the spectators who invested
largely IN tickets to the Patti opera,
and who expected to find ready sale
for them at exorbitant prices, were very
badly taken in, by the general refusal
upon the part of the public to be
swindled by ticket sharpers, as has so
frequently been the case in the past,
and when it was discovered, soon after
the box Office was opened for the sale
of seats, that the best seats in the house
had been disposed of to spectators,
there was an indignation meeting held,
and it was unanimously decided that
the prices charged by spectators would
not be paid, and when the hour for the
opening of the entertainment arrived
many of the best seats in the orchestra
were unsold, and the spectators in
order to get back a portion of their out
lay were obliged in some instances to
sell their tickets at lower price than
was originally charged at the box office.
! Queen Kapionani, of the Hawaiian
Islands, and her party, arrived in Wash
ington Tuesday evening, and spent the
remainder of the week in viewing the
wonders of our National Capital. 1t is
not an uncommon thing for distinguish
ed representatives of foreign countries
to visit Washington, but it is seldom
| that we have been honored by the visits
of royalty itself The Queens COM
| plexion is not quite as dark as the full
blood negro, but darker than that of
the average mulatto. She is of medium
height and weighs apparently about
| 20C pounds. The Princess, who accom-
panies her as member of the party is
much younger than the Queen, and not
withstanding her dark complexion is
quite handsome.
During the Queens stay in Washing
ton she was entertained by both govern
ment officials and the representatives
of foreign countries, and expressed her.
self as much pleased with Washington,
and with her entertainment here. When
it was announced that the dark COM
plexioned ruler of the South Pacific Is
lands was to be given the distinguished
honor of special dinner at the White
House. a protest was heard from some
of the frequenters of the Executive
Mansion. 1t was said that at least one
of the Cabinet officers would not attend
the dinner, out this rumor was un-
founded. Upon the occasion of the
Queens visit to the Washington bar
racks, she was received by General
Gibson and the troops were reviewed by
her. A royal salute was fired as the
party passed through the gates. After
leaving the barracks the party attended
the races, returning in time to attend
the circus in the evening, where they
occupied seats that had been specially
reserved for them. Upon Friday the
party was conveyed to Mount Vernon
on board the U. S. Steamer Dispatch,
they being accompanied by the cabinet
officers. DIPLOMATIC corps. Judges of the